Projected oil demand continues to slide, with growth entirely driven by non-OECD countries. OECD-demand is expected to contract by 0.4 million barrels per day (mb/d) this year and 0.1 mb/d in 2012. The 2012 forecast by IEA leaves little room for optimism, as the current estimate is as low as 1.7% (1.5 mb/d)

Global oil demand has never been higher, despite recent revisions. Demand is driven by growth in Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and FSU, while requirements in North America and EU are contracting in 2011 as well as in 2012. The IEA has revised down its demand outlook by 0.2 million barrels per day (mb/d) for 2011 to reach 89.3 and by 0.4 mb/d for 2012 to reach 90.7. Growth outlook now stands at a modest 1.1% in 2011 and 1.6% in 2012.

This is the latest in a series of reports supplied by the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) with the intention of keeping BIMCO members appraised of legislative developments in the US affecting international shipping. BIMCO highlights only the relevant developments that would impact members. The full CSA January report is also provided.